Mahabharata 3.39.39 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 39, Shloka 39
Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas
Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva
अहो<यं सुकुमाराज़ो हिमवच्छिखराश्रय: । गाण्डीवमुक्तान् नाराचान प्रतिगृह्नात्यविह्लल:
aho 'yaṁ sukumāro 'ṅgo himavac-chikharāśrayaḥ | gāṇḍīvamuktān nārācān pratigṛhṇāty avihvalaḥ ||
अहोऽयं सुकुमाराङ्गो हिमवच्छिखराश्रयः । गाण्डीवमुक्तान् नाराचान् प्रतिगृह्णात्यविह्वलः ॥
किरयात उवाच
Educational Q&A
True strength is shown by steadiness and mastery under threat; one should not judge capability by outward softness or appearance, and equanimity (being avihvala) is a mark of inner power.
A speaker marvels that the Kirāta, though seemingly delicate and living on Himalayan peaks, remains unshaken and even catches the arrows shot from the famed bow Gāṇḍīva—signaling extraordinary prowess in the ongoing encounter.
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